The Murque River is well named, its slowly-moving waters are think with algae and silt. This lazy river is bordered on both banks by strips of swampy land that effectively double the river’s 100-foot width and make travel quite difficult.
Ranging north and south of the Murque, the lords of Hope's Haven map the area between the drake's lair and Candlemere Lake.
(Oppressive Expectations, Success clears the penalty going forward)
As the party slogs their way through the swampy land, Vladimir points out the markings hung from trees and arranged on poles, leather and bone fetishes and markings cut into trees and etched onto stone surfaces.
"Looks like we've wandered into someone's tribal territory. Lizardfolk, based on the markings if I am not mistaken."
Continuing on with a wary eye open, Vladimir nudges his companions, pointing out a trio of ripples in the murky water of the river keeping pace with the group. "It appears we have a bit of company."
"Lizardfolks? Yes, swimming under water.
Might be scouts, keeping eye on us, for now, maybe no danger, just keeping us under watch until leave territory.
Can always hope."
"Our, uh, last encounter with lizardfolk was a mixed bag."
"Well, sometimes, taking initiative is best!"
Garborn stops his horse, climbs down, and walks over to the ripples.
He does so with a big grin, and no sign of fear at all.
"Just so long as I don't have to swim again."
Garborn squelches through the mud to the edge of the river. The Murque is about a hundred feet across, and while the deepest part they've encountered so far is only about ten feet deep, the dwarf would have to swim to get to the presumed lizardfolk scouts.
Vladimir watches on cautiously, waiting to see what happens with Garborn's plan.
With a smirk, Vladimir turns to Marisol, "No swimming for you today?" Glancing back at the murky water he adds, "Can not say that I blame you."
Garborn considers for a moment, unsure if he should perhaps take the form of an animal and swim closer? But then he could not communicate...
Instead he crosses his arms over his chest, sucks in a deep lungful and calls out loudly.
"I like swimming on a nice warm day when I can relax later," replies Marisol, "but less so if it means being cold and bedraggled in a swamp!"
The ripples in the water visibly pause for a moment, briefly swirl into a circle, then one swims off downriver while the other two remain behind. One diamond shaped lizardfolk head pops up above the level of the algae-covered river and swims closer with the other ripple following behind.
The visible lizardfolk gets within a few feet of the muddy river's edge, slowly emerging from the sheet of algae like a green spectre. "You're the humans who killed Vesket." It could have been a question, even though it sounded like a statement.
Garborn nods, it was true after all, and he didn't see much of a reason to deny it.
"Yes, Vesket kill and kidnap humans, when asked to give kidnapped child back, refused.
Vesket also servant of evil spirit. Garborn not lie, can ask shaman of tribe, will back Garborns words up."
Vladimir nods in agreement with Garborn's statement. "Vesket was unworthy of your people. In his servitude of the spirit, he brought about his own doom, we were simply the instrument of that fate."
It's nearly impossible for the humans to read that draconic expression, but the scout's next words certainly sounded displeased. "With Vesket and the false spirit gone, Ssjarlith and S'kar no longer fear to return. With the spirit, Vesket was strong. Without Vesket and the spirit, Ussathra's magic was too weak to face Ssjarlith and together with S'kar they consumed her."
"They have gone to the dark oak caves to gather her followers but will be back soon. You should leave before they do."
Garborn runs a hand over his beard and chuckles.
"Sounds like fun, more fighting to do. Where is dark oak caves? Maybe find them there, make things easy for them, sure to come for us eventually after all."
Vladimir's eyes narrow, hearing the fate of the lizardfolk village. "Who are this Ssjarlith and S'skar you speak of? I get the impression they are even worse than Vesket."
"No good deed goes unpunished, I suppose."
"Action always have consequence.
Life not big on being predictable, so not always what you expect in end."
"A powerful nature witch, stronger by far than Ussathra. S'kar is her mate, a powerful warrior. They led, once, but she descended into a madness that threatened to destroy our tribe. With the support of the spirit, Vesket and the warriors of the tribe drove them out with her most fanatical followers. Without Vesket, none were strong enough to stand against her."
The scout turns to regard Garborn with its unblinking gaze. "To the south, along the lakeshore, shortly down the fast water." It sounded like the lizardfolk was saying they could be found near the Shrike River south of Candlemere Lake.
"Inadvertently or not, we are responsible for this result. It is up to us to rectify this situation " Vladimir says.
"Would you agree? he asks, of his companions.
"I certainly don't want to leave the lizardfolk under the scaly boot-heel of an even worse tyrant. And our own self-interest compels us to make sure that such a group isn't on our own doorsteps."
Garborn looks back at Vladimir when he asks his question, in response he grins and hefts his greatclub over his shoulder.
"Lord has right, not have unfinished business before go to bed in town."
"Agreed. We can't leave a job half-done. And, hopefully, this time there, uh, won't be someone even worse still that these witches are keeping at bay."
"Hehe, sunny disposition! Never fear friend, if new problem comes, we just punch harder next time!"
The group spends the rest of the day exploring the area east of the lizardfolk island, primarily focusing on the shore around Candlemere Lake. They find nothing dangerous but peering out across the miles of water they can just make out the white cliffs of Candlemere Island and the crumbling towers that rest upon it. Coming to the Shrike River exiting the lake to the south, they find a deep, fast flowing, cold river nearly 300 feet across.
Exploring south and east, the Shrike cuts nearly straight east to where it meets the Little Sellen and swirls together into the true Shrike River that flows south toward Mivon and the rest of the River Kingdoms. The wide, fast flowing, deep river will surely make a prime trade route if they can develop it.
Coming to a small tributary off the main river, Garborn quickly finds lizardfolk tracks proceeding into a small, marshy valley. The swiftly flowing tributary cuts through the marsh. A line of closely set, moss‐shrouded stones provides a way across the turbulent water.
A small weed‐choked cavern filled with a dark stream in the opposite river bank tunnels deep into the marshy, waterlogged ground. A great leafless tree has collapsed over the cave mouth. A single crow perches in its skeletal branches.
"I suppose that would be the dark oak caves the lizardfolk spoke of." Vladimir says to no one in particular. "Looks particularly smelly and unpleasant."
Garborn gets down on his hands and knees for a moment sniffing at the ground like a massive bear or hound.
"Garborn not know, smell musk, acquired taste.
Not for everyone, but Garborn not one to judge."
Standing up, he wipes his hands on his chest with a big grin and a chuckle.
"Lizard ladies cold blooded, but very affectionate if you warm."
He glances over at Nico for a moment and grins even wider.
"Like tall men, more man to warm them. Maybe no need to fight, friend Nico seduce Ssjarlith and no worries, GYAHAHAHAHA!"
"We will bring new meaning to the phrase, 'human-lizardfolk relations'." Nico stares at the crow. "That could be her familiar. Assuming, uh, that the term 'witch' is more than just colloquial."
Vladimir eyes the crow that Nico had pointed out.
"Well so much for any surprise then. While I would prefer a diplomatic solution, I have my doubts that it will be possible. Thoughts?" he asks his companions.
"If seen, can also be overheard.
Maybe not good idea to discuss plans in open? Still, Garborn suspect best approach to play by ear, if you not know plan, then enemy not able to predict plan."
"Maybe they'll talk. Maybe her, uh, 'madness' is an actual affliction that we can do something about." Nico smiles. "Wouldn't that be a nice change of pace?"
"Good! Positive thinking, optimistic spirit! Open mind and life surprise you yet.
Make friend Nico into believer yet!"
"As we have certainly been seen and likely heard at this point, I see little point in anything other than a direct confrontation." Vladimir says moving towards the cave's mouth.
"Big and bold, sounds good to Garborn, most suitable to his size anyway, gyahahahahaha!"
As the group advances across the stepping stones over the creek, the tree draped over the cave mouth shudders for a moment and then with a great moan begins to stir as if awakening from a long slumber. After a few moments, it rises from the swamp’s mire, lets out a low moan and shakes its branches, looking around as if confused for a moment before focusing on the approaching strangers and advancing across the boggy ground toward the running water.
"Huh. Garborn, I trust that's not another hostile tree like the scythe tree?"
Garborn frowns and runs a hand through his beard for a moment as he studies the approaching tree.
"Is not no, looks like...Treant, but sick. Look, walking confused.
While Treant normally nice, this one look confused. Might not be friendly, sick in mind.
Still, allow Garborn to try..."
Garborn approaches a litlte closer, ahead of the others, then he hails the Treant using it's own native language.
Vladimir's hand falls to the hilt of his blade, but otherwise pauses, waiting for the results of Garborn's communication with the creature.
Garborn knows a lot about treants, more than enough to give him an edge in any negotiations with one.
That said, this one doesn't look very friendly as it waves one massive limb in warning. "Come to finish the job? I am no sapling to be felled like my mate! Leave or face my wrath, puny mortals!"
Garborn stands his ground and keeps speaking in Sylvan, seeing as how the Treant is using it as well.
"Hah, Garborn not scare easily tree friend, after all, Garborn is druid of green faith.
Who better than Garborn to call nature friend?
look at Garborn tree friend, you not see enemy!"
The treant shakes its head. "You are a tree friend?" The tree creature still sounds unhappy with Garborn but not quite as hostile as a moment ago. "Why did you come here? Are you here to help?"
Garborn grins and thumps a fist against his chest.
"Garborn always happy to help, what tree friend need?"
The confused, upset treant shakes its head. "Wood reapers came and killed my mate, taking her body to do whatever it is they do. Ssjarlith came to me, promised vengeance on the little cutters. We killed them, killed many, but it brings me no peace. Ssjarlith and her folk rest now, waiting for what I do not know."
The admittedly murderous treant groans again, waving a hand at Garborn and seeming more tired than anything else. "You are no tree cutter. I have no anger for you. Leave in peace. Let me go back to my rest."
"Sleep tree friend, we not enemies.
Go to sleep, Garborn will come back, talk more to tree friend later.
For now, must seek to talk to others.
Must seek to talk to others who rest, have many...questions for them."
Might not be wise to reveal as much as I have, but he'd have noticed if we made a lot of sounds inside.
Let's see if he is amendable to just letting us pass him by.